A biggie coming up for Autumn. As North-East literary events go, this is the cats pyjamas…
DURHAM BOOK FESTIVAL: 23 October- 1 November
Tickets go on sale on September 8th for the new, improved Durham Book Festival which New Writing North is programming and running this year. Highlights include:
- Nick Hornby in conversation with Lynn Barber about adapting her memoir to film, and Nick presenting his new novel, Juliet, Naked .
• Comedian Jack Dee telling us how he went from being a cheery young fellow to the grumpy middle-aged man we know today, thanks to a series of truly awful jobs he had to endure.
• Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy presenting an evening of poetry from her and new North East women poets.
• Book group favourite Kate Mosse introducing her new novel, The Winter Ghosts. Kate’s novel Labyrinth was read and loved by book groups up and down the country.
• Writer of the hilarious A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian Marina Lewycka will be talking to novelist and journalist Amanda Craig about forming unlikely friendships across cultural divides.
The 31st October will be of particular interest to book group members: at 4pm our next author Jacob Polley with be chatting to fellow poet turned novelist Sean O’Brian to discuss their recent forays into the world of fiction. As if that wasn’t enough, before that (2pm) November author Tommy Wieringa will also be at the Gala Theatre in the company of local literary enfant- terrible Richard Milward to talk about his novel Joe Speedboat. You don’t even need to move venues and all for the bargain price of £4/ £3 per event! Don’t say we’re not good to you.
You can join the mailing list to get all the latest information about the festival at www.bookfestival.org.uk and you can book tickets for events from the Gala Theatre in Durham on www.galadurham.co.uk or on 0191 332 4041. I’d advise you to move fast- tickets are already flying out the door.
Creative writing workshops with award-winning author David Almond at
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Saturday May 23
10am – 12noon
2pm -4pm
David, whose Carnegie Award and Whitbread Prize winning novel Skellig has just enjoyed a small screen adaptation, will be heading two writing workshops at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland to help people get their creative juices going.
The workshops on May 23 will give an insight into how David finds his inspiration and comes up with the ideas for his stories and characters.
To book a place at the workshop call 01661 881636 or email belsayhorse@mhwpr.co.uk.
Places on the workshop are limited and will be booked on a first come, first served basis.
In addition, people can enter a creative writing competition inspired by Stella McCartney’s crystal horse. Entry forms available via belsayhorse@mhwpr.co.uk
For further information about Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens please go to http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay